Public-domain · open source
OpenJurist

25 Ala. App. 401

147 So 450

Hulen v. State

Alabama Court of Appeals

Decided April 4, 1933

Alabama Court of Appeals · decided 1933-04-04

Cited by 3 later decisions — most recently October 1978

3 state decisions

Key passage — most relied on by later courts

“"There are conditions where the drawing and presenting of a pistol may constitute an assault. Lawson v. State , [ 30 Ala. 14 ] supra; State v. Church , 63 N.C. 15 . But where, as here, the evidence rebuts any presumption of an intended battery, there should be no conviction for an assault. The motion for a new trial should have been granted."”

quoted by 1 later decision, including 366 So. 2d 326 - Hollingsworth v. State

Relies on Lawson v. State · State v. . Church

Good law ✅— No negative treatment on recordhow we know

Decided 1933-04-04

View the full empirical analysis of this case →

SAMFORD, Judge.

¶1 Two negro women living in adjoining houses engaged in a banter of words and epithets, calling each other names and using language not having a place in decent society. During the exchange neither left her own yard, but defendant got a pistol, pointed it at the prosecutor, and told her if she would get off of her porch she’d shoot her. Im-mediately prosecutor “hit the ground,” put down her broom, and invited defendant to “come on.” Whereupon defendant put down the pistol, turned her back, and slapped her backside with her hand. This ended the'episode, and prosecutor then began this prosecution for an assault. To constitute an assault, there must be the commencement of an act, which, if not prevented, would produce a battery. Lawson v. State, 30 Ala. 14, 15.'

¶2 There are conditions where the drawing and presenting of a pistol may constitute an assault. Lawson v. State, supra; State v. Church, 63 N. C. 15. But where, as here, the evidence rebuts any presumption of an intended battery, there should be no conviction for an assault. The motion for a new trial should have been granted.

¶3 Reversed and remanded.

/25/alaapp/401 · .json · Public domain